UNIVERSITY   OF    CALIFORNIA     AGRICULTURAL   EXPERIMENT  STATION 

_  BENJ.    IDE    WHEELER,    PRESIDENT 

COLLEGE   OF  AGRICULTURE  ^^^^^^  ,^^3^^„  „^^,    ^„^^^^  ,,„^^^^^ 

BERKELEY  H.    E.   van    NORMAN.    Vice-Director    and    dean 

University  Farm  School 


CIRCULAR  No.  190 

January,  1918 

AGRICULTURE  CLUBS   IN   CALIFORNIA 

By  B.  H.  CEOCHERON 


Agriculture  clubs  are  a  means  whereby  young  persons  profit  from 
farming  through  the  practice  of  it  in  competitive  groups  under  the 
supervision  of  trained  men. 

Thus  the  object  of  such  clubs  is  to  capitalize  for  j-oung  people  their 
work  on  the  land.  There  may  be  other  valuable  results  of  agricul- 
ture clubs.  They  may  teach  lessons  of  science,  of  thrift,  of  industry. 
They  may  help  to  organize  country  life  and  provide  a  needed  struc- 
ture for  the  social  and  moral  growth  of  the  countryside.  But  all 
these  are  bj^-products  of  the  main  purpose  which  has  a  direct,  economic 
end  in  view. 

Agriculture  clubs  have  no  necessary  connection'  with  the  public 
school  system  although  most  are  first  organized  in  schools  where  the 
club  group  can  be  formed  more  readily.  The  clubs  are  not  part  of  a 
required  course  of  study  and  have  nothing  directly  to  do  with  the 
formal  pedagogic  aspects  of  agriculture.  They  are  a  separate  and 
distinct  line  of  progress  from  the  so-called  ''home  project  work" 
which  is  becoming  a  valued  part  of  the  secondary  teaching  of  agri- 
culture. For  home  projects  are  an  attempt  to  carry  out  at  home  the 
operation  which  has  been  learned  by  text  or  lecture  at  school.  Thus 
the  care  of  a  team  of  horses  may  be  a  home  project  but  would 
be  only  an  incidental  operation  in  an  agriculture  club.  A  home 
project  may  finish  with  a  deficit  in  materials  or  labor,  or  have  no 
tangible  financial  result,  and  yet  be  a  success  if  the  student  has  learned 
something  of  value.  The  agriculture  clubs  are  only  a  success  when 
their  members  make  money  from  the  carrying  on  of  a  "contest." 

The  assumptions  upon  which  agriculture  clubs  start  are : 

(1)  Tliat  the  agricultural  institutions  of  the  state  and  nation 
have  information  which,  a})plied  to  farming,  will  increase  farm  profits. 

(2)  That  many  boys  and  some  girls  want  to  make  money  by  farm- 
ing and  would  like  to  be  shown  how. 


(3)  That  the  chances  for  individual  success  are  increased  when 
several  persons  in  a  neighborhood  undertake  the  same  work,  an  added 
interest  for  which  comes  through  competition.  Unless  the  above  three 
assumptions  are  correct  the  agriculture  clubs  as  established  in  Cali- 
fornia are  unsound. 

HISTORY    OF    AGRICULTURE    CLUBS    IN    CALIFORNIA 

A.  HIGH  SCHOOL  CLUBS 

The  movement  for  agriculture  clubs  in  California  started  on  its 
present  basis  in  January,  1914,  with  the  students  of  the  College  of 


AGRICULTURE  CLUB 

POTATO  CONTEST 

PASO  ROBLES  HI  SCI 


i^z- 


Every  club  member  must  grow  a  crop  on  his  home  farm  each  year. 


Agriculture  who,  having  an  agriculture  club  of  their  own,  felt  that 
there  were  boys  in  the  state  too  young  to  go  to  college,  or  who  had 
missed  the  opportunity,  but  who  would  like  to  take  part  in  contests 
with  growing  crops  or  animals  and  so  demonstrate  their  ability  to 
make  money  out  of  farming.  With  the  aid  and  co-operation  of  the 
Extension  Division,  a  committee  of  over  forty  students  launched  the 
campaign  for  agriculture  clubs,  which  was  restricted  to  pupils  of 
high  school  age.  This  was  because  (1)  they  were  less  numerous  than 
the  vast  army  of  elementary  school  boys  and  thus  could  be  reached 
more  adequately;  (2)  they  were  nearly  of  vocational  age  and  there- 
fore might  be  expected  to  respond  more  readily  to  the  money-making 
aim  of  the  clubs;  (3)  they  naturally  looked  up  to  the  college  students 
who  were  to  be  their  volunteer  leaders. 


From  the  first  the  high  school  clubs  had  a  favorable 
sliown  bv  the  following'  table: 


•rowth  as 


Clubs   

Members  enrolled 


1914  1915  1910  1917 

34  64  103  101 

343  622  1157  2047 


During  the  long,  hot  summers  hundreds  of  high  school  boys  demon- 
strated their  ability  to  grow  crops  on  California  soils.  In  many  cases 
they  not  only  surpassed  the  yields  of  neighboring  farmers  but  proved 
by  their  accurate  balance  sheets  that  careful  culture  pays  big  profits. 
All  the  boys  in  any  one  club  grow  the  same  crop,  but  different 


Agriculture  clubs  seek  to  prove  to  country  boys  that  careful  farming 

pays  profits. 

Dewey  Cameron  of  Kerman,  prize  winner  in  1915,  who  now  has  a  ranch  of 
his  own. 


clubs  must  grow  different  crops  because  of  the  highly  divergent  char- 
acter of  California  agriculture  and  because  of  the  large  area  which 
the  state  represents.  Twenty-four  possible  contests  were  planned, 
selection  being  left  to  the  club  upon  the  basis  of  the  contest  that  might 
be  expected  to  result  in  the  most  monetary  profit  to  that  particular 
community.  Gradually,  through  experimentation  and  practice,  the 
contests  usually  selected  have  narrowed  to  about  a  half  dozen. 

In  the  first  year  the  boy  seldom  grows  a  crop  of  unusual  credit  or 
profit.  By  the  second  .year  lessons  of  experience  have  been  learned 
which  applied  in  the  field,  give  a  larger  net  return.  By  the  third 
year  it  is  evident  that  only  through  unusual  care  and  attention  can 


unusual  yi(4ds  be  gained.  Boys  then  often  conduct  seed  selection  or 
even  plant-breeding  demonstrations  in  addition  to  the  regular  field 
plots.  Although  the  plots "  required  in  the  contests  vary  from  one- 
fourth  acre  to  an  acre  for  each  boy,  or  from  one  to  two  animals  in 
animal  contests,  many  club  members  in  the  second  or  third  year  of 
their  work  had  under  tlieir  direction  or  management  ten  to  twenty 
acres,  or  even  whole  ranches. 

In  California  agriculture  clubs  less  emphasis  is  placed  upon  yield 
than  upon  net  profit.  All  results  are  judged  upon  a  carefully  con- 
trived score  card  wherein  net  profit  is  calculated  after  all  expenses 


The  club  members  are  lead  to  grow  successive  crops  on  increasing  areas. 
The  boys  conduct  seed  selection  and  even  plant  breeding  demonstrations  in 
addition  to  their  regular  field  plots. 

Leslie  Porter,  at  Salinas,  prize  winner  in  1914.  who  ever  since  has  carried 
on  plant-to-the-row  selection  work  with  beans,  which  has  shown  astonishing 
results. 

including  the  value  of  land  rental  and  even  of  the  labor  of  the  boy 
himself  have  been  deducted.  The  plan  is  based  upon  the  belief  that 
the  principles  applied  in  a  club  contest  should  be  those  which  would 
hold  true  on  a  larger  acreage.  It  has  been  upon  this  basis  that  the 
club  members  have  gradually  extended  their  operations. 


Supervision 

It  became  evident  at  the  outset  that  the  agriculture  clubs  could 
not  be  maintained  by  volunteer  leadership  alone.  Therefore  the 
actual  supervision  of  the  clubs  was  taken  over  by  the  Extension  Divi- 


sioii  which  now,  in  co-operation  with  the  United  States  Department 
of  Agriculture,  employs  three  men  who  devote  their  whole  time  to 
the  enterprise.  Other  members  of  the  staff  of  the  college,  such  as 
county^  farm  advisers  and  crop  specialists,  have  given  much  service 
to  the  agriculture  clubs.  Always,  however,  the  Agriculture  Club  of 
the  University  students  has  maintained  its  helpful  committees  to  assist 
in  the  work. 

T^he  club  specialists  from  the  Universit}^  visit  each  high   school 
agriculture  club  once  a  month  during  the  entire  year.      During  the 


4    - 

w 

'].'— 
'>l-|i 

-^^. 

■  :.k>\  ' 

iPinKr-f-ife* 

The  boys  are  proving  that  much  selection  work  still  remains  to  be  done. 

David  Patterson  of  Wasco,  with  two  high  yield  bean  plants  which  averaged 
425  pods  apiece;  usually  bean  plants  run  about  50  pods  to  the  plant. 


winter  months  the  boys  are  advised  at  school  in  club  groups  but 
during  the  growing  season  they  are  visited  at  home  where  their  crops 
are  inspected  and  instruction  is  given.  As  soon  as  a  boy  enrolls  he 
begins  to  receive  special  literature  upon  the  crop  he  is  growing,  the 
best  treatises  from  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  and 
from  the  University  of  California  being  selected  as  well  as  leaflets 
written  for  this  special  purpose.  These  bulletins  reach  him  at  inter- 
vals of  two  weeks  until  the  series  is  exhausted.      By  means  of  the 


6 


printed  material  and  the  personal  instruction  of  the  club  specialists, 
as  well  as  by  the  study  of  the  growing  crop  itself,  it  is  possible  for  an 
ag-riculture  club  boy  to  gain  more  detailed  and  intimate  knowledge 
of  that  one  crop  than  is  given  in  any  regular  course  offered  to  college 
undergraduates. 

Among   the   materials   sent   to   the   club   members,   the   first   is   a 
"record  sheet,"  being  a  carefully  planned  blank  on  which  to  keep  a 


Net  profit  is  emphasized  as  the  end  toward  which  all  operations  are  directed. 

Hayes  Keiser  of  Whittier,  who  after  deducting  the  rent  of  his  land,  the 
value  of  his  own  labor  and  other  expenses  made  a  net  profit  of  $87.40  from 
one-quarter  of  an  acre  of  garlic. 

complete  financial  statement  of  the  crop,  its  entire  expense  including 
the  rental  of  the  land  and  the  labor  of  the  boy  himself,  as  well  as 
memoranda  of  all  operations,  the  tools  with  which  they  were  per- 
formed and  the  time  which  the  work  required.  At  the  end  of  the 
season  these  records  are  returned  completed  to  the  state  office,  where 
conclusions  are  drawn  from  them  and  a  summary  statement  submitted 
to  each  club  pointing  out,  if  possible,  the  factors  which  resulted  in 
the  success  of  the  winner.  These  find  much  local  publicity  and  spread 
broadcast  the  teachings  of  successful  agriculture. 


Each  year  at  the  end  of  the  club  contest  an  exhibit  of  the  products 
is  held.  These  exhibits  often  attain  large  proportions  and  attract 
considerable  local  attention.  Sometimes  the  exhibit  is  held  at  a  county 
or  district  fair,  but  more  often  it  is  in  the  business  district  of  the 
town  on  a  day  when  many  farmers  are  present.  The  records  of  the 
boys  are  exhibited  with  the  products,  the  judges  then  announce  their 
decision  and  the  essay  of  the  winning  boy  telling  ''how  he  did  it"  is 
printed  in  the  local  paper. 


Club  members  are  lead  to  become  real  farmers  by  easy  steps  from  year  to  year. 

Oscar  Dimmock  of  Lemoore,  who  first  raised  hogs  in  the  club  contest  in 
1915,  who  was  prize  winner  in  that  year,  and  who  now  is  a  well  known 
breeder  of  pure  bred  hogs. 


Prizes 

No  prizes  of  any  kind  are  offered  by  the  University.  It  is  evident, 
however,  that  the  work  has  the  enthusiastic  approval  of  the  people 
of  the  state  since  annually  they  have  subscribed  large  sums  of  money 
for  travel  trips  for  the  winning  boys  The  totals  of  the  sums  so 
expended  have  greatly  increased  year  by  year. 

The  chief  form  of  prize  offered  by  the  communities  has  been 
a  trip  to  the  University  Farm  at  Davis.  The  University  offered  to 
entertain  there  the  most  successful  boys  in  the  club  contests;  half 
the  boys  from  a  club  being  permitted  to  attend.  Thus  in  1914,  143 
boys  were  sent  to  Davis,  in  1915  there  were  235,  in  1916  the  number 


8 

was  274,  and  in  1917  there  were  324  who  attended.  At  the  University 
Farm  the  boys  are  camped  out  for  three  days  in  militia  tents,  are 
entertained  there  by  the  colleg-e  and  spend  the  time  in  receiving  agri- 
cultural instruction.  In  1915  the  trip  also  included  a  visit  to  the 
Panama-Pacific  Exposition  at  San  Francisco,  while  in  1916  they 
journeyed  by  special  train  to  Berkeley  and  the  campus  of  the  Uni- 
versity. 

Another  and  larger  prize  has  been  a  transcontinental  tour  offered 
by  some  communities  to  their  winning  boys.  This  tour,  conducted 
b}^  the  University,  but  entirely  financed  b}^  the  several  communities. 


The  Clul)  Leaders  go  about  the  state  visiting  each  boy  on  his  home  farm 
during  the  growing  season.  Meetings  are  held  by  club  members  on  plots 
deserving  special  attention.  Constant  instruction  and  encouragement  bring 
success  in  club  work. 


attempts  to  make  a  study  of  the  most  prominent  types  of  agriculture 
in  America,  as  well  as  to  see  some  of  the  big  cities,  industries  and 
historic  places.  For  three  successive  years  a  carload  of  winning, 
boys  thus  has  been  taken  over  America  on  a  tour  of  ten  thousand 
miles.  The  tour  differs  from  all  others  ever  offered,  in  that  it  is 
definitely  organized  for  agricultural  instruction  in  order  to  train 
leaders  for  country  life  and  for  California.  No  boy  in  the  contest 
"wins"  or  "earns"  a  transcontinental  tour.  It  is  an  investment 
made  by  the  people  in  the  expectation  that  in  later  years  he  will  give 
a  return  to  the  community  far  beyond  the  initial  expenditure.     More 


than  anything'  else,  country  life  needs  leaders  trained  from  among 
its  own  people.  Some  of  these  leaders  of  the  future  will  come  from 
among-  the  "Transcontinental  Tour  Boys." 

B.  ELEMENTAEY  CLUBS 
From  the  beginning  the  intention  has  been  to  extend  the  agri- 
culture clubs  to  the  sixth,  seventh,  and  eighth  grades  of  the  elementary 
schools  as  soon  as  the  high  school  development  became  fixed  and  as 


Fifteen  District  Club  Leaders  operated  in  California  during  1917;  in  1918 
their  number  will  be  increased  to  forty-five. 

These  men  are  teachers  of  agriculture  in  high  schools  who  enter  into  a 
co-operative  arrangement  wherebv  they  become  agents  of  the  United  States 
Department  of  Agriculture  and  the  University  of  California  to  carry  on  the 
club  project  in  the  elementary  schools  tributary  to  their  high  school  districts. 


soon  as  sufficient  trained  and  (employed  supervision  could  be  obtained. 
So  far  as  volunteer  leadership  is  concerned  the  plan  is  to  utilize  the 
successful  and  experienced  members  of  the  high  school  clubs  to  organ- 
ize and  act  as  volunteer  leaders  for  the  elementary  clubs  in  the  district 
tributary  to  their  high  schools.  Their  position  would  then  be  pre- 
cisely similar  to  that  assumed  by  the  University  students;  for  the 


10 


high  school  boy  is  the  natural  leader  of  the  elementary  school  pupil, 
just  as  the  university  man  is  the  high  school  boy's  exemplar.  This 
plan  of  utilizing  high  school  boys  as  leaders  for  elementary  clubs  has 
already  successfully  been  demonstrated  elsewhere.  But  inasmuch  as 
volunteer  supervision  is  not  alone  sufficient  to  carry  agriculture  clubs 
to  a  successful  conclusion,  it  was  necessary  to  employ  trained  agricul- 
tural men  to  closety  supervise  and  advise  the  elementary  clubs. 

There  are  in  California  seventy-eight  high  schools  which  employ 
instructors  in  agriculture  who  are  trained  men.  Most  of  these  were 
employed  for  but  nine  or  ten  months  a  year.      During  the  two  or 


High  school  boys  who  have  been  successful  club  members  for  one  or  more 
years  are  encouraged  to  become  advisors  of  an  elementary  club  of  younger 
boys  and  to  give  them  their  encouragement  and  advice. 

On  the  right,  district  club  leader;  in  the  center,  the  elementary  club  boy, 
and  on  the  left,  John  Cantoni  of  Napa,  prize  winner  in  1915,  who  since  has 
been  advisor  to  a  club  of  elementary  boys  near  his  home. 

three  months  when  farming  operations  are  most  active,  these  agricul- 
tural instructors  were  absent  from  their  communities  or  were  there 
inactive  in  leadership.  In  co-operation  with  the  high  school  boards 
it  was  proposed  to  employ  these  instructors  for  three  months  of  their 
spare  time.  Where  this  was  done  the  agricultural  instructor  agreed 
to  spend  three  months  upon  agricultural  extension  activities  in  the 
district  tributary  to  his  high  school,  under  the  direction  of  the  office 
of  the  State  Leader ;  the  high  school  board  agreed  to  appropriate  not 
less  than  two  hundred  dollars  for  transportation  in  this  work;  and 
the  College  of  Agriculture  co-operating  with  the  United  States  Depart- 


11 


iiient  of  Agriculture,  agreed  to  pay  two  hundred  dollars  salary  for 
work  so  done.  Fifteen  higli  schools  and  their  instructors  entered 
into  such  an  agreement  during  1917.  In  those  districts  107  elemen- 
tary clubs  were  formed  with  830  club  members.  More  schools  will 
enter  the  project  as  the  plan  proves  successful  and  as  additional  funds 
become  available.  Where  proper  supervision  as  well  as  volunteer 
leadership  is  furnished,  elementary  agriculture  clubs  will  at  once 
become  possible. 

The  plan  of  supervision  for  the  elementar}^  clubs  is  precisely  the 
same  as  that  for  the  high  schools  mentioned  heretofore.      That  is,  just 


Two  war  badges  for  volunteer  work  done  by  boys.  On  the  left  that  of  the 
Boys'  Working  Reserve.  On  the  right  the  special  badge  for  boys  who  act 
as  assistants  to  club  leaders  and  farm  advisors  in  their  emergency  projects  for 
increased  food  production. 

as  the  club  specialist  from  the  University  once  a  month  visits  the 
high  school  boys,  so  the  agriculture  instructor  from  the  high  school, 
known  officially  in  this  work  as  a  district  club  leader,  visits  once  a 
month  the  elementary  schools.  During  the  winter  he  forms  clubs  in 
the  schools  and  meets  the  club  boys  there  in  groups.  During  the 
growing  season  he  regularly  visits  the  elementary  boys  on  farms  advis- 
ing on  their  work.  Meanwhile  the  boys  have  been  receiving  special 
literature  from  the  state  office  at  intervals  of  two  weeks. 

No  doubt  certain  counties,  desiring  to  form  elementary  clubs  and 
realizing  the  necessity  of  trained  and  emploj^ed  supervision  will 
employ  county  club  supervisors  to  act  under  the  direction  of  the 
agricultural  agencies  of  the  state  and  nation.  Where  such  county 
men  are  employed  a  wide  development  of  clubs  is  possible. 


12 


SUGGESTIONS   FOR  ORGANIZATION 

In  starting  an  agriculture  club  the  first  and  most  important  thing 
to  do  is  to  secure  a  volunteer  adviser.  The  club  organization  should 
be  a  student  enterprise  on  the  same  basis  as  an  athletic  association,  a 
debating  club,  etc.,  but  like  all  student  organizations,  it  will  need 
guidance.  Some  local  person  should,  therefore,  be  selected  to  act  as 
club  leader  or  adviser.  This  may  be  the  principal  of  the  school,  a 
teacher,  an  interested  farmer,  a  chamber  of  commerce  man,  or  some 
other  person.  This  club  adviser  should  be  some  resident  person  who 
will  take  a  sincere  interest  in  the  work  of  the  club  and  in  the  bovs, 


During  1917,  136  Agriculture  Club  boys  contributed  their  services  with  trans- 
portation for  special  war  work  throughout  California. 

Two   of   the   nine   boys   who   made   a   farm-to-farm   food   survey   of   Humboldt 
County  and  secured  complete  records  of  the  production  of  about  1000  farms. 


and  who  will  be  able  to  devote  some  of  his  time  to  supervising  the 
work.  He  should  act  as  a  sort  of  balance  wheel  to  the  organization. 
The  club  adviser  should  be  secured  first  of  all. 

Before  presenting  the  club  idea  to  the  bo3^s  it  should  be  decided 
which  would  be  the  best  crop  for  them  to  grow  in  their  contest.  This 
should  be  determined  by  the  club  adviser  in  conference  with  several 
successful  farmers  and  such  other  persons  of  the  community  whose 
judgment  is  valued.  If  a  farm  bureau  center  is  in  the  locality,  the 
question  may  be  discussed  at  its  regular  monthly  meeting.  It  should 
be  remembered  that  the  contest  must  be  an  annual  crop,  in  order  that 


13 


The  uniform  which  has  been  adopted  for  agriculture  club  members  throughout 

California. 


14 

a  cash  return  may  be  secured  the  first  year.  The  crop  selected  should 
be  that  which  will  make  most  money  for  the  members,  and  whicli 
could  be  grown  extensively  and  profitably  in  the  community. 

These  things  having  been  accomplished,  all  the  boys  in  the  school 
should  be  called  together  and  the  plan  of  work  explained  to  them. 
The  important  points  to  be  emphasized  are : 

(a)  The  agriculture  clubs  are  part  of  a  national  club  movement 
conducted  b^^  boys  in  almost  every  state  of  the  union. 

(h)  In  California,  while  different  clubs  may  grow  different  crops, 
all  boys  in  the  same  club  must  grow  the  same  crop. 


An  agriculture  club  convention  is  held  once  a  year  at  the  University  Farm 
at  Davis.  The  home  communities  send  boys  who  have  done  especially  good 
work. 


In  1914,  143  boys  attended;  in  1915  there  were  235;  in  191( 


:74;  and   1917,   324. 


(c)  The  members  of  the  club  should  consist  of  boys  of  school  age 
(whether  now  in  school  or  not)  who  are  vocationally  interested  in 
agriculture  and  desire  to  make  some  mone.y  from  the  land  in  contest 
with  other  boys  of  the  community. 

{d)  The  best  place  to  have  the  crop  grown  is  on  the  home  farm 
of  each  boy.  Those  who  have  no  farm  may  rent  land  elsewhere.  The 
poorest  place  to  conduct  the  contest  is  on  the  school  grounds. 

(e)  Each  boy  must  keep  accurate  records  of  his  work,  including 
all  cash  and  expense  accounts  and  receipts  for  his  sales.  At  the  end 
of  the  season  these  records  and  vouchers  must  be  turned  over  to  the 
judges. 


15 

(/)  The  club  holds  meetinos  twice  a  month.  One  of  these  may 
be  a  field  meeting  at  some  successful  farm  or  at  a  boy's  plot.  The 
other  ma}'  be  an  indoor  program  and  business  meeting.  The  College 
of  Agriculture  will  furnish  complete  outlines  for  eighty-four  different 
meetings. 


mrnKfUmmpv 


H"  r  •'.< 


^S*v 


■iWi 


\ 


m     m     m 


No  prizes  of  any  kind  are  offered  by  the  University.  A  transcontinental 
tour  has  been  offered  by  some  communities  to  their  winning  boys.  Annually 
a  carload  of  prize  winners  thus  has  been  taken  over  America  on  a  tour  of 
10,000  miles  to  see  its  chief  types  of  agriculture. 

Seventy-three  boys  have  been  sent  on  such  a  trip.      In   1914  there  were  20; 
in   1915  there  were  29;   in   1916  there  were  24. 


{(j)  All  work  is  under  the  honor  system.  The  judging  is  done 
by  a  local  board  of  three,  appointed  by  the  club,  of  which  the  club 
adviser  is  chairman. 


16 

(h)  Prizes  for  club  work  are  given  by  the  local  communities,  not 
by  the  University  of  California,  or  by  the  United  States  Department 
of  Agriculture.     Travel  is  the  best  prize ;  money  is  the  worst  prize. 

All  boys  who  are  not  interested  in  joining  the  club  under  the 
conditions  above,  should  be  eliminated  at  this  point. 

With  only  those  boys  present  who  expect  to  take  part  in  the  con- 
test, the  meeting  may  merge  into  an  informal  discussion  in  which  the 
boys  are  encouraged  to  ask  questions.  The  model  constitution  (as 
prepared  by  the  office  of  the  State  Leader)  should  be  read  and 
adopted.  When  there  are  no  further  questions,  officers  should  be 
elected.  These,  according  to  the  club  constitution,  include  a  president, 
vice-president,  and  secretary. 

At  the  discretion  of  the  club  president,  the  following  standing 
committees  may  be  appointed : 

1.  Membership  committee. 

2.  Publicity  committee,  to  keep  local  papers  informed  of  club 
activities. 

3.  Programme  committee,  to  arrange  programmes  for  club  meet- 
ings, secure  speakers,  etc. 

4.  Contest  committee  to  secure  prices  on  seed,  etc. 
Other  committees  may  be  appointed  for  special  purposes. 
Enrollment  cards  (supplied  by  the  office  of  the  State  Leader)  may 

then  be  given  out.  These  should  be  taken  home,  the  project  discussed 
with  the  parents,  and  after  final  decision,  should  be  signed  and  mailed 
without  postage  to  the  office  of  the  State  Leader.  This  puts  the  mem- 
ber on  the  state  list  to  receive  supervision  and  instruction.  The 
club  adviser  may  briefly  explain  and  emphasize  the  first  things  to  be 
done  in  the  contest  work,  such  as  selecting  and  preparing  the  land, 
testing  or  preparing  the  seed,  etc.  The  time  and  place  of  the  next 
meeting  should  be  decided  before  adjournment. 


17 


CONSTITUTION 


The  followino-  model  constitution  is  proposed  for  all  the  agTicnl- 
ture  clubs  in  California : 

CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  AGRICULTURE  CLUB 


A.  Name. — The  name  of  this  organization  shall  be  the  Agriculture 

Club.  Name  of  school 

B.  Object, — The  object  of  this  organization  shall  be  the  promotion  of  interest 
in  agriculture,  the  introduction  of  better  methods  of  farming,  and  the  improvement 
of  social  and  ecohomic  conditions  in  the  country. 

II.  Membership 

Membership  shall  be  open  to  all  young  people  who  show  by  their  active  interest 
a  desire  to  take  part  in  the  advancement  of  country  life. 

By  failure  to  attend  three  consecutive  meetings  or  to  take  part  in  at  least  one 
contest  per  year  any  person  is  dropped  from  the  roll  of  the  club. 

The  minimum  membership  for  any  club  shall  be  six  members. 

III.  Officers 

The  officers  of  the  club  shall  be  president,  vice-president  and  secretary. 

Election. — The  officers  shall  be  elected  by  a  majority  vote,  and  regularly  at 
the  beginning  of  the  calendar  year. 

Any  member  of  the  club  shall  be  eligible  to  the  presidency,  but  after  the  first 
year  it  shall  be  the  expectation  that  the  vice-president  shall  succeed  to  the  presi-. 
dency. 

Duties  of  Officers. — -The  duties  of  the  president  shall  be  to  preside  at  meetings, 
to  take  general  charge  of  all  activities  of  the  club,  to  appoint  all  necessary  com- 
mittees and  in  general  to  be  the  manager  and  director  of  the  club. 

The  duties  of  the  vice-president  shall  be  those  of  the  president  in  the  absence 
of  the  latter,  and  at  all  times  to  be  his  assistant  and  adviser.  He  should  gain  an 
intimate  knowledge  of  all  contests  carried  on,  in  order  to  continue  them  the  fol- 
loAving  year. 

The  duties  of  the  secretary  shall  be  to  keep  the  minutes  of  the  club  meetings 
in  permanent  form,  records  of  attendance  at  such  meetings  and  records  of  con- 
tests and  all  activities.  He  shall  as  far  as  possible  keep  in  touch  with  other 
agriculture  clubs^ 

IV.  Meetings 

The  club  shall  meet  regularly  twice  a  month.  One  of  these  meetings  shall  be 
a  regular  indoor  business  meeting  at  which  an  agricultural  program  may  be  given. 
The  alternate  meeting  should  be  a  field  trip  to  some  successful  farm,  ranch,  or 
agricultural  enterprise.  Special  meetings  may  be  called  by  the  president  or  any 
four  members. 

V.  Dues 

There  shall  be  no  regular  dues  in  this  club.  Any  necessary  expense  shall  be 
met  by  an  assessment  by  a  majority  vote. 


18 


CONTESTS    FOR    HIGH    SCHOOL   CLUBS 

Complete  rules  for  the  contests  listed  below  may  be  secured  from 
the  State  Leader's  office.  Each  outline  states  briefly  the  rules  as  to 
acreage  or  number  of  animals,  duration,  work  required  of  the  con- 
testant, and  the  basis  of  making-  the  award.  A  brief,  practical 
bibliography  is  appended  to  each.  From  time  to  time  additional 
instructions  are  sent.     The  possible  contests  are  as  follows : 

Crop  Contests 
Bean  Contests 

1.  Pink  Beans. — The  production  of  at  least  one-half  acre  of  beans,  the  selec- 

tion of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  ' '  How  I  Grew  My  Crop. ' ' 

2.  White  Beans. — The  production  of  at  least  one-half  acre  of  beans,  the  selec- 

tion of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  *  *  How  I  Grew  My  Crop. ' ' 

3.  Blackeye  Beans. — The  production  of  at  least  one-half  acre  of  beans,   the 

selection  of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  ' '  How  I  Grew  My  Crop. ' ' 

4.  Tepary   Beans. — The   production   of   at   least   one-half   acre   of   beans,   the 

selection  of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  ' '  How  I  Grew  My  Crop. ' ' 

5.  Lima  Beans — The  production  of  at  least  one-half  acre  of  beans,  the  selec- 

tion of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  * '  How  I  Grew  My  Crop. ' ' 

6.  Siring  Beans  (Pole  Beans). — The  production  of  at  least  one-quarter  acre  of 

beans,  the  selection  of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  ' '  Hoav  I  Grew  My 
Crop." 

Corn  Contests 

7.  Field  Corn. — The  production  of  at  least  one  acre  of  corn,  the  selection  of 

seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  * '  How  I  Grew  My  Crop. ' ' 

8.  Grain  Sorghums. — The  production  of  at  least  one  acre  of  grain  sorghum, 

the  selection  of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  ''How  I  Grew  My  Crop." 

9.  Pop-corn. — The  production  of  at  least  one-half  acre  of  pop-corn,  the  selec- 

tion of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  ''How  I  Grew  My  Crop." 

10.  Sweet-corn. — The  production  of  at  least  one-half  acre  of  sweet  corn,  the 

selection  of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  '  *  How  I  Grew  My  Crop. ' ' 

Potato  Contests 

11.  White    (Irish)   Potatoes. — The  production  of  at  least  one-quarter  acre  of 

potatoes,  the  selection  of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  "How  I  Grew  My 
Crop." 

12.  Sweet   Potatoes. — The    production    of    at   least    one-quarter    acre    of    sweet 

potatoes,  the  selection  of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  "How  I  Grew 
My  Crop. ' ' 

Miscellaneous  Contests 

13.  Celery. — The  production  of  at  least  one-eighth  acre  of  celery,  the  exhibit 

of  twelve  best  bunches,  and  an  essay  on  "How  I  Grew  My  Crop." 


19 

14.  Mixed    Vegetables. — The    production    of    at    least    one-half    acre    of    mixed 

vegetables,  complete  records  of  all  operations,  and  an  essay  on  "How 
I  Grew  My  Crop. ' ' 

15.  Nursery   Trees. — The  production  of   1000  seedling  trees,  to  be  budded  at 

eight  months,  and  an  essay  of  1000  words. 

16.  Onions. — The  production  of  at  least  one-eighth  acre  of  onions,  the  selec- 

tion of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  ' '  How  I  Grew  My  Crop. ' ' 

17.  Peanuts. — The    production    of    at   least    one-quarter    acre    of    peanuts,    the 

selection  of  seed  stock,  and  an  essay  on  ' '  How  I  Grew  My  Crop, ' ' 

Animal  Contests 
Pig  Contests 

18.  Fattening  Tivo  or  More  Pigs. — The  feeding  and  care  of  two  or  more  pigs 

for  at  least  four  months,  keeping  records,  and  an  essay  on  ' '  How  I 
Raised  My  Pigs." 

19.  Litter  Raising. — The   care   of   one    sow    through   breeding   and   farrowing, 

and  the  care  of  the  litter  until  at  least  four  months  old.  Complete 
records  and  an  essay  on  ' '  How  I  Raised  My  Pigs. ' ' 

Poultry  Contests 

20.  Egg   Prcduction.- — The   care   and   feeding  of   at   least   two   dozen  hens   for 

at  least  four  months.     Complete  records  and  an  essay  of   1000  words. 

21.  Faising    Ycung   Chiclcens. — The   hatching   and    rearing   of    at   least    thirty 

pullets  and  three  cockerels  to  eight  months  of  age  (all  of  the  same 
breed).  Complete  records  and  an  essay  on  ''How  I  Raised  My 
Chickens. ' ' 

Miscellaneous  Contests 

22.  Beelceeping. — The  care  of  at  least  six  hives  of  bees  for  a  period  of  eight 

months.     Complete  record  and  500-word  essay. 
2.3.  Calf  Bearing. — The  care  and  feeding  of  at  least  one  calf  for  a  period  of 
at  least   eight   months.       Complete   records   and   an    essay   on    ' '  How    I 
Raised  My  Calf." 

24.  Colt  Bearing. — The  care  and  feeding  of  at  least  one  colt  for  a  period  of 

eight  months.  Complete  records  and  an  essay  on  ''How  I  Raised  My 
Colt." 

25.  Sheep  Bearing. — The  care  and  feeding  of  at  least  two  lambs  for  a  period 

of  at  least  three  months.  Complete  records  and  an  essay  on  "How  I 
Raised  My  Lambs." 

Special  contests-,  such  as  stock-judging,  plowing,  budding,  grafting, 
pruning,  etc.,  may  be  worked  up  for  Saturday  ''hikes"  and  field  trips. 

Of  the  above  list  of  contests  only  a  little  over  half  have  actually 
been  used  during  the  past  four  years.  Of  these  six  appear  to  be  the 
most  successful.  The  following  table  shows  the  distribution  of  con- 
tests over  four  vears  of  club  work. 


1914 

1915 
1 

1916 

1917 

Four-year 
total 

1 







1 

1 

4 

6 

11 

26 

47 

1 

4 

5 

1 

1 

.... 

1 
1 

2 

7 

8 

11 

28 

3 

3 

3 

5 

14 

3 

2 

17 

31 

53 



1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

.... 

9 

11 

1 

.... 

1 

1 



1 

2 

18 

33 

39 

92 

9 

23 

23 

70 

125 

1 

1 

14 

16 



2 

1 

3 

7 

.... 

1 

8 

20 


Kind  of  contest 

Alfalfa    

Baby  Beef  

Beans    

Canning    (girls)    .. 

Cantaloupes    

Celery    

Corn    

Mixed    Vegetables 
Grain   Sorghums   .. 

Nursery  Trees  

Onions  

Peas    

Peanuts  

Pig   Feeding    

Potatoes    

Poultry   

Sugar    Beets    

Tomatoes  

.   Total   34  65  103  208  410 

It  will  be  noted  that  Beans,  Corn,  Mixed  Vegetables,  Grain  Sor- 
ghums, Pig  Feeding,  and  Potatoes  are  the  contests  that  have  been 
selected  with  repeated  and  growing  success.  The  rules  for  these  six 
contests  follow : 

EULES   FOR   THE   BeAN   GROWING   CONTEST 

1.  Members  of  agriculture  clubs  only  shall  be  eligible  to  compete  in  this  contest. 

2.  Each  contestant  shall  grow  one-half  acre  of  beans. 

3.  Each  contestant  shall  prepare  his  ground;  select  and  plant  his  seed;  per- 
form his  cultural  operations ;  harvest  his  crop. 

4.  Each  contestant  shall  keep  a  complete  tabulated  record  of  expense  and 
procedure.  This  record  shall  accompany  the  exhibit.  In  addition,  each  con- 
testant shall  write  an  essay  of  between  500  and  1000  words  on  ''How  I  Grew 
My  Bean  Crop." 

5.  Each  contestant,  after  the  harvest,  shall  exhibit  at  the  school  show,  at 
the  district  or  county  fair,  or  other  place  designated  by  the  principal  of  the 
school  and  by  the  president  of  the  club,  ten  plants  chosen  from  the  crop  as  good 
seed  beans.     The  winner  of  the  contest  shall  be  named  during  the  show  or  fair. 

6.  The  prize  or  certificate  of  merit  shall  be  awarded  to  the  winner  on  the 
following  basis: 

Per  cent 

Greatest  yield  on  one-quarter  acre 30 

Best  showing  of  profit  on  investment 50 

Best  exhibits  of  ten  plants  for  seed  beans 10 

Best  history  of  ''How  I  Grew  My  Bean  Crop" 10 

100 


21 

BibHcgraphy:  U.  S.  D.  A.  Farmers '  Bulletin  No.  289,  Beans;  No.  561,  Bean 
Growing;  No.  318,  CoAvpeas.  U.  S.  D.  A.  Prof.  Bulletin  No.  119,  Bean  JSpecies; 
Cal.  Exp.  Sta.  Leaflet,  Bean  Culture. 

EULES    FOR   THE    COKN    GROWING    CONTEST 

1.  Members  of  agriculture  clubs  only  will  be  eligible  to  compete  in  this  contest. 

2.  Each  contestant  shall  grow  at  least  one  acre  of  field  corn. 

3.  Each  contestant  shall  prepare  his  ground;  select,  test,  and  plant  his  seed; 
cultivate,  irrigate,  and  harvest  his  crop.  He  may  have  assistance  in  plowing, 
weighing,  and  hauling  his  crop. 

4.  Each  contestant  shall  keep  a  complete  record  of  expense  and  procedure, 
according  to  the  accompanying  record  blank.  This  complete  tabulated  record  shall 
accompany  the  exhibit.  In  addition,  each  contestant  shall  write  an  essay  of  from 
500  to  1000  words  on  ' '  How  I  Grew  My  Corn  Crop. ' ' 

5.  Each  contestant  shall,  after  the  harvest,  exhibit  at  tlie  school  show,  at 
the  district  or  county  fair,  or  other  place  designated  by  the  principal  of  the 
school  and  the  president  of  the  club,  ten  ears  of  corn  selected  as  good  seed. 

^  The  winner  of  the  contest  shall  be  named  during  the  shoAv  or  fair. 

6.  The  prize  or  certificate  of  merit  shall  be  awarded  to  the  winner  on  the 
following  basis: 

Per  cent 

Greatest  yield  from  one  acre 30 

Best  showing  of  profit  on  investment 50 

Best  exhibit  of  ten  ears 10 

Best  history  of  *  *  How  I  Grew  My  Corn  Crop" 10 

100 
BihlicgrapJiy :    U.  S.  D.  A.  Farmeis'  Bulletin  No.  537,  How  to  Grow  an  Acre 
of  Corn;  No.  199,  Corn  Growing;  No.  414,  Corn  Cultivation;  No,  229,  Good  Seed 
Corn;   No.  415,  Seed  Corn;   No,  253,  Germination  of  Seed  Corn.     Cal.  Exp.   Sta. 
Cir.  No.  70,  Corn  Growing  in  California. 

Rules  for  the  Mixed  Vegetable  Growing  Contest 

1.  Members  of  agriculture  clubs  only  will  be  eligible  to  compete  in  this  contest. 

2.  Each  contestant  shall  grow  one-quarter  acre  of  vegetables,  in  any  one  of 
the  following  combinations: 

Group  1 

Potatoes  Celery  Radishes 

Parsnips  Lettuce  Carrots 

Group  2 

Spinach  Cauliflower  Brussels  Sprouts 

Cabbage  Kale  Onions 

Group  3 
Beets  Cucumbers  String  Beans 

Squash  Peas  Lima  Beans 

It  is  suggested  that  the  clubs  limit  their  contest  to  only  one  group  in  any  one 
year. 

3.  Each  contestant  shall  prepare  his  ground;  select,  treat  (when  necessary), 
and  plant  his  seed;  cultivate,  irrigate,  and  harvest  his  cr,ops.  He  may  have 
assistance  in  plowing,  harvesting,  and  hauling.  He  should  grow  about  an  equal 
area  of  each  vegetable. 


22 

4.  Each  contestant  shall  keep  a  complete  record  of  expense  and  procedure, 
according  to  the  accompanying  record  blank.  He  shall  sell  produce  as  it  becomes 
available,  reserving  the  best  for  exhibit.  This  complete  tabulated  record  shall 
accompany  the  exhibit.  In  addition,  each  contestant  shall  write  an  essay  of  from 
500  to  1000  words  on  ' '  How  I  Grew  My  Vegetable  Crop. ' ' 

5.  Each  contestant  shall,  during  or  after  the  harvest,  exhibit  at  the  school 
show,  at  the  district  or  county  fair,  or  other  place  designated  by  the  principal  of 
the  school  and  the  president  of  the  club,  the  best  product  of  each  crop  gi-own,  in 
quantities  to  be  decided  by  the  school  principal  and  the  club  adviser. 

6.  The  prize  or  certificate  of  merit  shall  be  awarded  to  the  winner  on  the 
following  basis: 

Per  cent 

Best  yield  on  plot 30 

Best  showing  of  profit  on  investment 50 

Best  exhibits  10 

Best  essay  on  ''How  I  Grew  My  Vegetable  Crop" 10 

100 

Bibliography :  U.  S.  D.  A.  Farmers '  Bulletin  No.  255,  Home  Vegetable  Gar- 
den; No.  881,  Small  Vegetable  Garden;  No.  324,  Sweet  Potatoes;  No.  433,  Cab- 
bage; No.  254,  Cucumbers;  No.  354,  Onion  Culture.  U.  S.  D.  A.,  B.  P.  I.  Bulletin 
No.  833,  Tomato  Growing.     Cal.  Exp.  Sta.  Cir.  No.  147,  Tomato  Grovnng. 

EULES    FOR   THE    PlG    FEEDING    CONTEST 

1.  Members  of  agriculture  clubs  only  will  be  eligible  to  compete  in  this  contest. 

2.  Each  contestant  shall  raise  at  least  two  pigs  from  the  age  of  eight  weeks  to 
eight  months  (may  vary). 

3.  If  the  contestant  is  bringing  his  pigs  from  a  neighboring  or  distant  ranch, 
he  should  first  give  them  a  thorough  scrubbing  in  a  good  disinfectant  and  should 
keep  them  separate  from  any  other  pigs  on  his  place  for  at  least  three  weeks. 
This  is  important,  as  it  is  to  prevent  the  spread  of  disease. 

4.  Each  contestant  shall  act  independently  as  to  the  tending  and  care  of  his 
pigs  and  shall  do  aU  the  work  necessary  during  the  contest.  Help  may  be 
obtained  for  hauling  and  weighing. 

5.  Each  contestant  shall  keep  complete  record  of  expenses  of  feeding  and  of 
the  value  of  his  time  put  in  at  taking  care  of  his  pigs.  (The  value  of  time  shall 
be  estimated  at  15  cents  per  hour.)  These  records  shall  be  given  careful  consider- 
ation by  the  parties  judging  the  merits  of  the  pigs  at  the  end  of  the  contest. 
Each  contestant  shall  write  an  essay  giving  in  detail  the  methods  of  feeding  and 
rearing  his  pigs, 

6.  The  judges  for  the  contest  shall  be  elected  by  the  club. 

7.  The  prize  or  certificate  of  merit  shall  be  aAvarded  on  the  following  basis: 

Per  cent 

Value  of  the  pigs  with  regard  to  weight  and  stock 30 

Profit   made   by  contestant  judging  from  record  of  cost 

of    production    50 

Essay  on  "How  I  Eaised  My  Pigs" 10 

System  and  accuracy  of  keeping  records 10 

100 


23 

Bibliography:  U.  S.  D.  A.  Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  879,  Cholera;  No.  781,  Tuber- 
culosis of  Swdne;  No.  411,  Feeding;  No.  438,  Housing;  No.  566,  Pig  Clubs; 
No.  205,  Pig  Management.  U.  S.  D.  A.  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  Leaflet,  Crates. 
Cal.  Exp.  Sta.  Cir.  No.  151,  Feeding  and  Management;  Cal.  Exp.  Sta.  Leaflet, 
Feeding. 

Rules  for  Grain  Sorghum  Growing  Contest 

1.  Members  of  agriculture  clubs  only  will  be  eligible  to  compete  in  this  contest. 

2.  Each  contestant  shall  grow  at  least  one  acre  of  grain  sorghum. 

3.  Each  contestant  shall  prepare  his  ground ;  select,  test,  and  plant  his  seed ; 
cultivate,  irrigate,  and  harvest  his  crop.  He  may  have  assistance  in  plowing, 
weighing,  and  hauling. 

4.  Each  contestant  shall  keep  a  complete  record  of  expense  and  procedure, 
according  to  the  accompanying  record  blank.  This  complete  tabulated  record 
shall  accompany  the  exhibit.  In  addition,  each  contestant  shall  write  an  essay 
of  from  500  to  1000  words  on  ' '  How  I  Grew  My  Grain  Sorghum  Crop. ' ' 

5.  Each  contestant  shall,  after  the  harvest,  exhibit  at  the  school  show,  at  the 
district  or  county  fair,  or  other  place  designated  by  the  principal  of  the  school 
and  president  of  the  club,  ten  heads  of  grain. 

The  winner  of  the  contest  shall  be  named  during  the  show  or  fair. 

6.  The  prize  or  certificate  of  merit  shall  be  awarded  to  the  winner  on  the 
following  basis: 

Per  cent 

Greatest  yield  from  one  acre 30 

Best  showing  of  profit  on  investment 50 

Best  exhibit  of  ten  heads 10 

Best  history  of  "How  I  Grew  My  Grain  Sorghum  Crop"     10 

100 

Bibliography:  U.  S.  D.  A.  Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  537,  How  to  Grow  an  Acre 
of  Corn ;  No.  448,  Better  Grain  Sorghum  Crops ;  No.  414,  Corn  Cultivation ;  No. 
686,  Uses  of  Sorghum  Grains ;  No.  724,  Feeding  Grain  Sorghums.  Cal.  Exp.  Sta. 
Bui.  No.  278,  Grain  Sorghums;  Cal.  Exp.  Sta.  leaflet,  when  to  Choose  Certain 
Crops;  Cal.  Exp.  Sta.  Leaflet,  Sorghums. 

EuLEs  for  the  Potato  Growing  Contest 

1.  Members  of  agi-iculture  clubs  only  shall  be  eligible  to  compete  in  this  contest. 

2.  Each  contestant  shall  grow  at  least  one-quarter  acre  of  potatoes. 

3.  Each  contestant  shall  prepare  his  ground;  select,  treat,  and  cut  his  seed; 
plant,  cultivate,  spray,  and  irrigate  (when  necessary),  dig  and  sack  his  crop.  Ho 
may  have  assistance  in  plowing,  weighing,  and  hauling. 

4.  Each  contestant  shall  keep  a  complete  record  of  expenses  and  procedure, 
according  to  the  accompanying  record  blank.  This  complete  tabulated  record 
shall  accompany  the  exhibit.  In  addition,  each  contestant  shall  write  an  essay 
of  from  500  to  1000  words  on  ''How  I  Grew  My  Potato  Crop." 

5.  Each  contestant  shall,  after  the  harvest,  exhibit  at  the  school  show,  at  the 
district  or  county  fair,  or  other  place  designated  by  the  principal  of  the  school 
and  president  of  the  club,  the  product  of  ten  hills  of  potatoes,  chosen  from  the 
crop  as  good  seed  potatoes.  It  is  required  that  one  other  member  of  the  club  be 
present  Avhen  the  seed  potatoes  are  dug. 


24 

The  Avinner  of  the  contest  shall  be  named  during  the  show  or  fair. 

6.  The  prize,  or  certificate  of  merit,  shall  be  awarded  to  the  winner  on, the 
following  basis: 

Per  cent 

Greatest  yield  from  plot  of  potatoes 30 

Best  showing  of  profit  on  investment 50 

Best  exhibit  of  ten  hills  of  seed  potatoes 10 

Best  history  of  "How  I  Grew  My  Potato  Crop" 10 

100 

7.  All  exhibits  shall  be  the  property  of  the  member  exhibiting  at  the  close  of 
the  show. 

Bihlicgrophy ;  Gal.  Exp.  Sta.  Leaflet,  Potato  Culture;  Cal.  Exp.  Sta.  Cir.  No. 
161,  Potatoes  in  California.  U.  S.  D.  A.  Farmers '  Bulletin  No.  533,  Seed  Potatoes ; 
No.  544,  Diseases.  U.  S.  D.  A.  Prof.  Bulletin  No.  195,  Breeding.  U.  S.  D.  A. 
B.  P.  I.  Bulletin  No.  884,  Potato  Growing. 


CONTESTS  FOR  ELEMENTARY  SCHOOL  CLUBS 

The  contests  for  the  elementarj^  schools  are  practically  identical 
with  those  for  the  high  schools,  except  that  the  minimum  area  is  one- 
half  the  size.     These  are  as  follows : 

Bean  Growing  Contests. — Pink  Beans,  one-quarter  acre;  Wliite  Beans,  one-quarter 
acre;  Blackeye  Beans,  one-quarter  acre;  Tepary  Beans,  one-quarter  acre;  Lima 
Beans,  one-quarter  acre;  String  Beans,  one-eighth  acre. 

Corn  Growing  Contests. — Field  Corn,  one-half  acre ;  Grain  Sorghums,  one-half 
acre;  Pop-corn,  one-quarter  acre;  Sweet  Corn,  one-quarter  acre. 

Potato  Growing  Contests. — Wliite  (Irish)  Potatoes,  one-eighth  acre;  Sweet  Po- 
tatoes, one-eighth  acre. 

Miscellaneous  Contests. — Celery,  one-sixteenth  acre ;  Mixed  Vegetables,  one-eighth 
acre;  Nursery  Trees,  500  seedling  trees,  to  be  budded  eight  months;  Onions, 
one-sixteenth  acre;  Peanuts,  one-eighth  acre. 

Animal  Contests 

Pig  Contests. — Fattening  one  or  more  pigs  for  at  least  four  months;  Litter  Eais- 

ing,  care  of  one  sow  through  breeding  and  farrowing  and  care  of  litter  until 

four  months  old. 
Poultry   Contests. — Egg   Production,    one    dozen   hens    for    four    months;    Raising 

Young   Chickens,   hatching   and   rearing   twenty   pullets   and   two   cockerels   to 

eight  months  of  age  (all  of  the  same  breed). 
Miscellaneous  Contests. — Beekeeping,  care  of  three  hives  of  bees  for  eight  months; 

Calf  Rearing,  care  and  feeding  one  calf  for  eight  months;  Colt  Rearing,  care 

and  feeding  of  one  colt  for  eight  months;  Sheep  Rearing,  care  and  feeding  of 

one  lamb  for  three  months. 


